The “Betwixtmas” Opportunity
You know that strange, hazy period between St. Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Eve? You’ve eaten your body weight in turkey, the selection boxes are running low, and you don’t quite know what day of the week it is.
While it’s tempting to stay on the sofa watching films, this “Betwixtmas” lull is actually the golden hour for golfers. It’s the perfect time to perform a ritual that will set the tone for your entire 2026 season, The Great Golf Bag Detox.
We’ve all been there. You stand on the first tee in January, reach into your bag for a tee, and your hand comes out covered in crumbs from a granola bar that expired in 2023. Or worse, you find a waterproof jacket that has been scrunched up at the bottom of the main pocket, damp and smelling like a wet dog since last October.
If you want to start 2026 on the right foot and with a lighter carry, you need to clear the clutter. A clean bag equals a clear mind, and a clear mind is exactly what you need to finally break that handicap barrier this year.
Here is your step-by-step guide to the ultimate golf bag audit.
Phase 1: The Purge
Before you can organise, you must destroy. Take your golf bag into the garage, the kitchen, or the hallway, turn it upside down, and empty everything onto the floor. Yes, everything.
You will likely find:
- Three crumpled scorecards from rounds you’d rather forget.
- A glove that is now stiff as a board and has a hole in the palm.
- A “lucky” ball marker you thought you lost six months ago.
- Broken tees. So many broken tees.
- A banana that has seen better days, hopefully just the peel.
The Rule: If it doesn’t help you shoot lower scores or stay warm in an Irish winter, it doesn’t go back in. Be ruthless. That scorecard from the scratch cup where you shot 105? Bin it. The emotional weight is heavier than the paper.
Phase 2: The Winter Armour Check
Playing golf in Ireland in January and February is a distinct skill. It requires grit, determination, and, most importantly, the right fabrics. If you are wet and cold, you cannot swing the club properly. It’s physics.
Now that your bag is empty, pack these essentials first.
1. The Waterproofs That Actually Work
Check your rain gear. Is it actually waterproof, or is it just water resistant? If your jacket has lost its beading ability, buy a waterproofing spray and treat it now. Roll your waterproof trousers neatly so they take up less space and are easy to grab when the heavens open on the fourth fairway.
2. The Extremities Kit
Cold hands are the enemy of feel. Your bag should permanently contain a pair of winter mittens, the ones that go over your gloved hands, or MacWet style rain gloves. Rain gloves are brilliant for Irish golf. The wetter they get, the grippier they become. Throw in a fresh beanie and a spare pair of thick socks in a Ziploc bag. Stepping into a puddle on the third hole does not have to ruin your day if you have dry socks for the back nine.
Phase 3: The Hardware Audit
Your clubs are your tools. A carpenter would not work with a rusty saw, and you should not try to hit a green with clogged grooves.
1. The Groove Scrub
Get a bucket of warm soapy water and a brush. Scrub the grooves of your irons and wedges until they shine. Spin control is vital in winter when the greens are soft, you need that ball to grab.
2. The Grip Check
Look at your grips. Are they shiny? Smooth? Hard? If your grips are worn, you have to squeeze the club tighter to hold onto it. This creates tension in the forearms, which kills your swing speed. If they look tired, make a booking with your local pro to get them re gripped before the season starts. It is the cheapest way to make your clubs feel brand new.
3. The Ball Inventory
Be honest. Are you carrying 45 golf balls just in case? You do not need that much weight. Pick out 10 to 12 decent balls for your competitive rounds and maybe five practice balls. Ditch the ones with scuff marks that look like they have been chewed by a lawnmower.
Phase 4: The Survival Kit
This is where the smart golfer separates themselves from the amateur. Dedicate one specific pocket, usually the top valuables pocket, to your Save the Round kit.
- Sustenance: A bottle of water and non-perishable energy. Nuts, biltong, or energy bars work best. Avoid fruit unless you plan to eat it that day.
- The Medicine Cabinet: Ibuprofen, blister plasters, and sun cream. Yes, even in January, windburn is real.
- The Sharpie: Mark your ball. There is nothing worse than hitting a lovely drive down the middle, finding another Titleist 2 nearby, and not knowing which is yours. Put a distinctive mark on your balls now while you are sitting in the warmth of your house.
Phase 5: Tech and Gadgets
Did Santa bring you a new GPS watch or laser rangefinder? Brilliant. Now, where are the batteries?
There is no heartbreak quite like standing 150 yards out, pulling out your laser, and seeing the screen stay black. Put a spare CR2 battery in your bag today. If you use a GPS watch or trolley, find a permanent home for the charging cable so you are not hunting for it at 7 am on a Saturday.
Ready for Launch
Once you pack everything back in, zip it up and lift the bag. Feel that? It is lighter. It is organised. It is ready.
When you head to the course for your first round of 2026, you will not be rummaging for a tee or shivering because you forgot your hat. You will be focused entirely on your swing and your target.
And speaking of your swing…
You have sorted the equipment, now it is time to sort the software. The best clubs in the world will not fix a slice, but a good PGA Professional will.
Use this clean slate to commit to your game. Have a look at our list of teaching professionals and book a golf lesson to shake off the winter rust.
Here is to a 2026 filled with fairways, greens, and a tidy golf bag. Happy New Year!
